WPI Professor Receives International Award For Research Targeting Infections

Terri Camesano, a professor of chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), has received a First Place Award at the Third International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC) for research into how antimicrobial peptides can prevent catheter-related infections.

Camesano was honored at the Innovation Academy during ICPIC, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, for her presentation titled “Development of Antimicrobial Peptides for Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Prevention”.

“We were honored to be selected to present our work,” said Camesano. “ICPIC gathers the most innovative and forward-thinking experts in infection control, and we were excited to talk to people from around the world about what we’ve found. It’s encouraging to have this sort of support from such a focused community.”

The antimicrobial peptides Camesano’s work addresses can be used to kill bacteria and fungi, meaning that they can be be applied to medical devices, catheters, and similar items to improve infection control. According to Camesano, antimicrobial peptides can also be used as a coating for joint prostheses and other types of orthopedic implants.

Camesano’s research, which has already proven to be effective against staphylococcus aureus (staph) and escherichia coli (E. coli), will be furthered by $10,000 in prize money she received at ICPIC.

Related Slideshow: Top 10 Hospitals in Massachusetts Rated By Patients

#10 Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Newton-Wellesley Hospital is a member of Partners Healthcare, a network which connects their facilities to other centers throughout Massachusetts such as MassGeneral. Newton-Wellesley Hospital is also partnered with Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

Highlights: 84% of patients who have stayed at Newton-Wellesley confirmed that they would recommend the hospital.

#8 Athol Memorial Hospital

Athol Memorial hospital staffs 50 physicians to oversee 25 beds. Since 1950 the non-profit Athol Hospital has offered state of the art healthcare, renovating and importing new technology every few years.

Highlights: 82% of patients said that both their rooms and bathrooms at Athol Memorial hospital were always clean.

#7 Harrington Memorial Hospital

Southbridge’s own Harrington Memorial Hospital has served the South Central Massachusetts' community since 1931. Harrington Memorial is committed to providing quality healthcare for the local community while upholding their reputation.

Highlights: 82% of patients at Harrington Memorial claimed that their physicians communicated well with them.

#5 Mount Auburn Hospital

Founded in 1886 as the first hospital in Cambridge, Mount Auburn provides a number of clinical services to area residents, including cardiac catheterization, laboratory services, rehabilitation services, and specialized services for men, women and seniors.

Highlights: At Mount Auburn communication shines—82% said nurses always communicated well, and 83% said the same of doctors.

#4 New England Baptist

New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH) offers nationally recognized expertise in orthopedic surgery, and is the official hospital of the legendary Boston Celtics, and has provided services to U.S.Olympic teams, elite athletic associations and individual elite athletes. But based on the responses, every patient is treated like an elite athlete.

Highlights: The overall patient experience at New England Baptist was incredibly positive—90% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.

#3 Martha's Vineyard

Since its incorporation in April 1921, Martha's Vineyard Hospital has been committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate medical care to each and every member of the Vineyard's year-round and seasonal community, as well as all who visit.

Highlights: The overall patient experience at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital was incredibly positive—83% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.

#2 Clinton Hospital

Clinton Hospital is a 41-bed nonprofit, acute care community hospital. The mission of the hospital is to deliver high-quality, comprehensive services to the local and extended community with excellence, compassion and competence. Organized in 1889, Clinton Hospital has been a member of UMass Memorial Health Care since 1998.

Highlights: The overall patient experience at Clinton Hospital was incredibly positive—85% said they would definitely recommend the hospital to another person.

#1 Fairview Hospital

An affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems, Fairview Hospital has been the center of healthcare in the southern Berkshires for nearly a century. A federally-designated Critical Access Hospital, Fairview provides a full range of primary care services, including 24-hour Emergency Department, surgery, obstetrics, rehabilitation, cardiology and a comprehensive list of diagnostic services including state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and laboratory services as well as therapeutic and prevention programs that address the health needs of the community.

Highlights: This hospital that dedicates itself to compassionate care has much to crow about, particularly the work of its nurses, who 91% of respondents said always communicated well with them (the highest ranking in the Top 50).